Coordinator for USAID/Vietnam Consultations on the Innovation and Start-up Ecosystem

CONSULTATION COORDINATOR
USAID/Vietnam Consultations on the Innovation and Start-up Ecosystem
USAID Learns Contract
Hanoi, Vietnam

Apply here

https://phg.tbe.taleo.net/phg02/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=SOCIIMPA2&cws=1&rid=4227

Note: This post is open for local candidates only

About Social Impact

Social Impact (SI) is a global development management consulting firm. We provide monitoring, evaluation, strategic planning, and capacity-building services to advance development effectiveness. We work across all development sectors including democracy and governance, health and education, the environment, and economic growth. Since 1997 we have worked in over 100 countries for clients such as US government agencies, bilateral donors, multilateral development banks, foundations, and nonprofits.

Project Objective

SI is implementing the USAID/Vietnam Learns Contract. The scope of the five-year project is to support USAID/Vietnam staff and partners to implement more efficient, effective, and transparent programs by improving: (1) USAID and Implementing Partner (IP) capacity to achieve expected results; (2) USAID’s understanding and tracking of project performance; and (3) collaboration, learning, and adapting (CLA).

Background and Purpose

USAID Vietnam is currently implementing the Workforce for an Innovation and Startup Ecosystem (WISE) activity, supporting Vietnam’s National Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) Strategy to advance continued economic transformation. The goal of WISE is to support interventions to expand the specialized skills segment of Vietnam’s labor market to improve the upward mobility and competitiveness of Vietnam’s workforce.

USAID Vietnam aims to launch a series of consultations to understand employer demands for digitally skilled employees in Vietnam. In particular, the Mission aims to understand the key urban-rural and gender gaps shaping the development of a digitally skilled workforce, as well as important constraints such as financing solutions and public-private sector linkages. The consultations will also explore potential incentives and other possible initiatives to promote digital education and continuous learning in Vietnam.

Position Description

USAID Learns seeks the support of a coordinator to support management of these consultations and to report on the findings. This rapid consultation effort will support the Mission exploring the issues raised in the previous section. The coordinator, working with the senior consultant and USAID Learns, will be expected to engage with Vietnamese stakeholders to explore these issues, as well as relevant regional or global dynamics. Building on analyses conducted by USAID Vietnam in 2020 and the lessons learned from WISE, the consultations will aim to answer the following questions:

• What are the key lessons learned from WISE implementation?
• What new issues or dynamics are shaping employee digital skills in Vietnam, and how are employers responding?
• What models from other countries have the most influence on Vietnam's digital workforce development in terms of platforms, business models, and development strategies (for example, China, Korea, Singapore, the USA, etc.). What lessons could be learned from these experiences?
• How do urban-rural, gender and other inclusion gaps shape these issues?
• What could USAID Vietnam do to address these issues in the coming few years? What could USAID do to further develop the environment for innovation in Vietnam?

The coordinator should be based in Hanoi, Vietnam, and will be expected to work closely with the Learns senior consultant. The anticipated level of effort for the assignment is up to 25 days of work, with travel to Ho Chi Minh City expected. The coordinator will be supported by the team at USAID Learns.

Methodology

To deliver the assignment, the consultant will conduct a desk review and hold individual discussions with key stakeholders. The consultant will also be required to facilitate consultation workshops - one in Hanoi, and another in Ho Chi Minh City (to include Mekong Delta stakeholders) - to solicit feedback and identify next steps.

Rapid desk review

• WISE project documentation
• GVN policies, directives, decrees, public statements, etc.
• Reports developed by donors, global funds, etc., related to workforce development in Vietnam in the last three years.
• Programming of other donors and non-state actors.

Local consultations

• WISE staff and partners
• USAID Mission and Embassy staff concerned with workforce development
• GVN representatives, including NIC, relevant ministries, provincial government representatives, and others.
• Private sector stakeholders and professional organizations
• Universities and academic institutions
• Other local stakeholders as relevant

Deliverables

1. Summary findings building on the 2020 context analysis report for WISE. This is expected to be a high-level deliverable of around five pages. This will review conclusions from the desk review and consultations, and make recommendations where possible.
2. Facilitated discussion reviewing the findings of the consultation: Learns will organize a discussion with USAID and other relevant stakeholders to review the findings and implications.
3. List of consulted stakeholders.

Implementation Plan

Timelines: October 2022 – December 2022
Level of effort (LOEs): up to 25 days

Required qualifications

• At least 10 years of experience in workforce development and innovation, skills, public-private sector linkages, or similar in the Vietnamese context.
• Demonstrable network within the Government of Vietnam, the private sector, academic institutions, and similar.
• Significant experience managing consultation efforts, including conducting interviews, facilitating workshops, and performing desk reviews.
• Experience working with USAID is strongly preferred.
• The ability to maintain high-quality work with tight deadlines, including adapting to client requests in coordination with Learns.
• Excellent professionalism, including focus, judgment, and discretion.
• Professional proficiency in writing, reading, and speaking English and Vietnamese.

The closing date for application: September 25, 2022. Selection and interviews will be performed constantly and interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

To apply, please merge both your CV and a cover letter into one pdf file and submit it through the online portal.

To learn more about Social Impact, please visit our website: http://www.socialimpact.com

SI is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

Only selected candidates will be contacted for an interview. Please, no phone calls.